Railway Industry
Since De-nationalisation/privatisation of the rail industry the employers are fragmented into many pieces. First of all there are the Passenger Train Operating Companies (TOCs).
The rail network is under the care of the aptly named Network Rail. Although Network Rail is responsible for the track, tunnels and bridges etc, some the work is done by consultants and contractors, although Network Rail have begun to reverse that trend.
Looking to the future some of the proposed rail projects include the development of Crossrail, which will allow travel across London via the national rail network, as well as the East London Line, which will allow passengers to traverse London without going into heavily congested central London stations via the underground system.
Back in the sixties, a chap called Dr Beeching had the bright idea of cutting miles of the rail network as they were not "profitable". Fortunately many rail enthusiasts took the initiative and raised money to buy up the tracks and rolling stock so that today there is a healthy network of tourist or Heritage Railways across the UK which run profitably, albeit staffed mainly by volunteers. However there are professional engineers working on these lines, and although the technology may be archaic, these preserved railways provide useful practical experience for volunteers in the engineering workshops or on trackbed maintenance.
One that we have used regularly with great success is the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales where you can enjoy beautiful scenery in the Snowdonia National Park while you are working
You may not be aware that there are an increasing number of tramways opening across the UK to cope with the ever increasing urban transport congestion. This includes Docklands Light Railway, Croydon, Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester and the West Midlands.
To complete the picture there are many companies who manufacture goods and provide services to the rail industry, e.g. rolling stock, signalling equipment, trackbed and safety systems. Here a few sites below of rail related associations with access to their members or associated companies.
- Railway Technology Site
- UK Railways on the Net
- Rail Industry Association Member Directory